Keepin' It Real In A Broken + Beautiful World

Tag: Divine Mercy image

I’m not sure exactly why, but the closing of the Jubilee Year of Mercy has been a wee bit emotional for me. It’s not like I didn’t take advantage of its graces. It’s not like I was surprised that the end of the Year was coming. It’s not like, just because the Year of Mercy is over, that the Vatican will announce some other, non-Holy Spirit-inspired “Year.” See Larry’s post if you want to laugh about the possibilities.

Maybe this year has been so personal for me because, in all humility, I often feel like the Poster Child for mercy. Trust me – that’s not a point of pride – simply the way things are. Glory to Christ the King, however, I once was lost (very, very lost), but now I am found. I once was blind, but now I see. And now you have the song “Amazing Grace” running through your mind. You’re welcome. 😉

Friends, there’s a reason Rembrandt’s Return of the Prodigal Son has hung in our home for many years. There’s a reason I asked for a Divine Mercy image for my birthday a few years back. These pieces of art are certainly not trophies, my friends, nor are they meant to make my home look like a Catholic bookstore. Rather, along with other items in my life, these pictures are frequent reminders of where I’ve been, but most importantly, how far I’ve been able to come through the almighty grace of God, acts of the will, and, in no small measure, God’s infinite, unfathomable mercy.

Upon further reflection, I suppose I’m grateful (and gratified) that God’s omnipresent mercy is significant and worthy of keen focus in the greater Church, not just in my own life. Maybe that’s it. That’s gotta be it.

As we near the end of this amazing Year, let’s keep in mind that God’s mercy (and our ability to give and receive it) is not a lightswitch – something to be flipped on and off. Mercy is at the very heart of our Christian walk. Let’s keep the mercy flowing, friends. Lord knows I need it. And I would hazard to guess that perhaps you do, too.

Keep scrolling for one of Papa Francesco’s recent tweets, the Closing Prayer for the Jubliee Year, and video for the commercial that made me cry. For reals.

May the balm of mercy reach everyone, both believers and those far away, as a sign that the Kingdom of God is already present in our midst! – Pope Francis @pontifex via Twitter

Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him.

Show us your face and we will be saved. Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his betrayal, and assured Paradise to the repentant thief. Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman: “If you knew the gift of God!”

You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified. You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God.Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord, and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind.

We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy, you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

Amen. +

And here’s the commercial that, I admit, made me cry. I was just minding my own business, watching football with my husband. Man!! #peace

Welcome, Folks!

Hi, there! I'm Heather (aka Real Catholic Mom) - a Christ-seeker, wife, mama of five amazing and challenging kiddos. I'm an iced coffee-drinker and unabashed Catholic revert n a Mission from God to live faithfully and joyfully while keepin' it REAL in the missionary territory of the Pacific Northwest. Welcome!